Professional Coin Grading Service

1805 50C Overton 113aAU50

Owner's Comments

O-113A, Rarity 4, Condition Census Top 5 (50,50,40,40,40). From Bowers and Merena The 2009 ANA National Money Show Auction Session One, Auction # 13170, Lot #666. This richly original example exhibits blended olive-gray and lavender-charcoal patination. A well-balanced piece, we also note bold devices and a lack of detracting abrasions for both sides. A scarce die marriage, this coin is included in the Condition Census for the O-113a variety as listed by Stephen J. Herrman in the Autumn 2008 revision to Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars: 1794-1839. Previously from Heritage's sale of the Westmoreland County Collection of Early Bust Halves, January 2008, lot 1363. Previously from the Heritage 2008 January Orlando, FL (FUN) Signature Coin Auction #454, Lot 1363. 1805 50C AU50 PCGS. O-113a, High R.4. The 'non-a' O-113 does not exist even though it is still included in the fourth edition of Overton. The difference between O-113 and 113a is listed as 12 arrows on the reverse of 113 and 13 arrows on the reverse of 113a. This listing seems illogical since one would expect die wear or die polishing would remove arrows, not add them. Like O-111 and 112, this is another single-use reverse that is paired with Obverse 7. This coin is an intermediate die state with a light crack through the tops of MERI. Deep steel toning with splashes of dark gold on the highpoints, mask the considerable luster that is still present on both sides of this piece. There are no AU50 coins listed on Herrman's Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized. However, there is one AU58/58 coin listed, and six AU55/55 pieces. Given the number of AU pieces recorded, one may deduce that a relatively large number of this variety was set aside shortly after production. Nevertheless, there are few pieces in absolute terms.
Haseltine-12; Beistle 5b-H; Overton-23; Ex: Robert Zornes (4/2000). From The Westmoreland County Collection of Early Bust Halves, 1794-1807.